There is another approximately 5% that is also getting invested but, since they are not part of the systematic investments, I haven't counted it in the 36%. For example, last year I had stashed about 6% of my gross income into EE-bonds as part of the second tier of my emergency fund during talks of budget crisis at work. However, this coming year I'll be working more on my investments.

This doesn't count the 12% my employer puts in a pension plan on my behalf.

How much would you LIKE to save towards retirment as a percentage of gross?

Actually, I would have liked to start these percentages a whole lot earlier! I was in my early 40s when I started investing, and now I am 50. The pension plan is pretty good, but the state legislature keeps on trying to cut back on the benefits, so I have to invest as much as I can now.